Logistics expert DHL is planning to muscle further into the foodservice market and is in talks with several pub and restaurant chains.

Several companies were examining their supply chains to look for efficiency savings and were considering leaving existing foodservice providers to work with DHL, said food retail MD Chris Sharp.

DHL plans to compete for contract distribution business and also hopes to work with caterers to help them develop their own supply chains, take buying into their own hands and cut foodservice wholesalers out of the chain.

“Pub and restaurant groups are of great interest to us,” he said. “We have a lot of enquiries at the moment from these types of businesses. Some are looking to split food and logistics, which have traditionally been bundled together. We can offer a more dedicated solution than 3663 and Brakes that should give better service and control and other opportunities to stock other things through a centralised system.”

DHL could help companies set up their own supply chains, including buying their own depots and lorries, just as it helped JD Wetherspoon to build a centralised distribution centre, which DHL runs on its behalf, he added.

However, competing with the foodservice giants will not be easy. Last week The Grocer revealed that 3663 First For Foodservice had won back a £100m-a-year contract to supply Burger King, which was due to move to DHL in July.

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